Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an automated pool cleaning apparatus configured to traverse an surface having varying elevations. Embodiments of the automated pool cleaning apparatus can include a housing that has a base portion with one or more intake ports and two or more wheel assemblies with at least one wheel assembly being disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and one wheel assembly being disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. The base portion of the house can include a relief structure formed between the first and second wheel assemblies to facilitate improved and/or enhanced cleaning of the surface when transitioning between portions of the surface that have different elevations.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.provisional patent application No. 61/990,488, filed on May 8, 2014,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for cleaning apool. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relateto structural features of apparatus to facilitate cleaning pools havinga varying elevations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming pools commonly require a significant amount of maintenance.Beyond the treatment and filtration of pool water, the surface of thepool must be scrubbed regularly. Additionally, leaves and other debrisoften times elude a pool filtration system and settle on the bottomsurface of the pool. Conventional means for scrubbing and/or cleaning apool, e.g., nets, handheld vacuums, etc., require tedious and arduousefforts by the user, which can make owning a pool a commitment.

Automated pool cleaning devices, such as the TigerShark cleaner or theSharkVac cleaner by Hayward, have been developed to routinely navigateover the pool surfaces, cleaning as they go. A pump system continuouslycirculates water through an internal filter assembly capturing debristherein. A rotating cylindrical roller (formed of foam and/or providedwith a brush) can be included on the bottom of the unit to scrub thepool walls.

Known features of automated pool cleaning devices that allow them totraverse surfaces to be cleaned in an efficient and effective manner arebeneficial. Notwithstanding, such knowledge in the prior art, featureswhich provide enhanced cleaner traversal of pool surfaces to be cleanedthat have varying surface elevations remain a desirable objective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for facilitating operationof a pool cleaner in cleaning surfaces of a pool containing water.Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide improvedtraction and cleaning for portions of a pool surface that have changesin elevation forming positive and negative corners. For example,exemplary pool cleaning apparatus disclosed herein can include, but isnot limited to, a relief structure formed by a base portion and sidepanels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship ofthe relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device tofacilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the poolcleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface featuresof a pool.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automatedpool cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing,a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly. The housingincludes a base portion having an intake port. The first wheel assemblyis disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheelassembly is disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. A relief isformed in the base portion between the first and second wheelassemblies.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automatedpool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having abase portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and anadjustable intake port. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximateto a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposedproximate to a rear end of the housing. The adjustable intake port isdisposed with respect to the base portion between the first and secondwheel assemblies. The intake port being biased towards an immersedsurface during a cleaning operation in a pool.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automatedpool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having abase portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a firstrotatable intake channel, and a second rotatable intake channel. Thefirst wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housingand the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of thehousing. The first rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect tothe base portion and proximate to an axis of the first wheel assembly.The first rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards animmersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool. The secondrotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portionand proximate to an axis of the second wheel assembly. The secondrotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersedsurface during a cleaning operation in a pool.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method ofcleaning an immersed surface of a swimming pool is disclosed. The methodincludes traversing a first horizontal portion of the immersed surfaceby an automated pool cleaning apparatus having a housing that includes abase portion with at least one intake port, a first wheel assemblydisposed proximate to a front end of the housing, a second wheelassembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing, and a reliefformed in the base portion between the first and second wheelassemblies. The method also includes transitioning from the firsthorizontal portion to a first vertical portion, wherein an intersectionof the first horizontal portion and the first vertical portion form apositive corner. The method further includes receiving the positivecorner by the relief as the automated pool cleaning apparatustransitions from the first horizontal portion to the first verticalportion.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure the reliefformed in the base of the housing can be bounded by a first and secondtransition region and a clearance associated with the relief can begreater than a clearance associated with the first and second transitionregions. The clearance of the relief can generally increase from thefirst transition region to an apex and can generally decrease from theapex to the second transition region. The relief can have a generallyconcave arched configuration and can be configured to receive a positivecorner of an immersed surface corresponding to a transition from agenerally horizontal portion of the immersed surface to a generallydownwardly depending vertical portion of the immersed surface as theapparatus moves over the positive corner. Intake ports of the apparatuscan be disposed on the relief, proximate to the relief, and/or spacedaway from the relief, and can include an intake aperture and/or anintake channel.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustableintake port can have a retracted position in which the adjustable intakeport is housed substantially within the housing and a protractedposition in which the adjustable intake port protrudes from the baseportion away from the housing. The adjustable intake port is formed inthe relief.

Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Otherobjects, functions, features, and benefits will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition ofthe limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using thedisclosed apparatus, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary cleaner assemblyin accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a left side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a right side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a partial cross-section of the cleaner of FIG. 1 with thehandle removed, with portions of the motor drive assembly beingrepresented generally without section, and with directional arrows addedto facilitate discussion of an exemplary fluid flow through the poolcleaner.

FIGS. 7A-C illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of thecleaner of FIG. 1 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-section of another exemplary embodimentof a cleaner assembly that has rotating suction intake channels.

FIGS. 9A-D illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of thecleaner of FIG. 8 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 10-11 depict a partial cross-section of an exemplary embodiment ofa cleaner assembly that has a retractable suction intake channel.

FIGS. 12A-D illustrate an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIGS.10-11 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 13-14 depict variations of a relief structure that can be formedon an underside of a cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

According to the present disclosure, advantageous apparatus are providedfor cleaning a an immersed surface of a pool that has a varyingelevation. More particularly, the present disclosure, includes, but isnot limited to, discussion of a relief structure formed by a baseportion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or arelationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the poolcleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improvedtraction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descendingvarious surface features of a pool (e.g., stairs, benches, etc.).

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a cleaner assembly 10 generallyincludes a cleaner 100 and a power source such as an external powersupply 50 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Power supply 50 generally includes a transformer/control box51 and a power cable 52 in communication with the transformer/controlbox 51 and the cleaner 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the cleaner 100 generally includes a housingassembly 110, a lid assembly 120, wheel assemblies 130, rollerassemblies 140, a filter assembly 150 and a motor drive assembly 160,which shall each be discussed further below.

The housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 cooperate to defineinternal cavity space for housing internal components of the cleaner100. In exemplary embodiments, the housing assembly 110 may define aplurality of internal cavity spaces for housing components of thecleaner 100. The housing assembly 110 includes a central cavity definedby base 111 and side cavities defined by side panels 112. The centralcavity may house and receive the filter assembly 150 and the motor driveassembly 160 (FIG. 6). The side cavities may be used to house drivetransfer system components, such as the drive belts 165, which aretypically used to transfer power from the motor drive assembly 160 tothe wheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies 140. The drive belts165 generally extend around and rotatably drive the wheel assemblies 130and the roller assemblies.

The housing assembly 110 typically includes filtration intake apertures113 (see, in particular, FIGS. 5-6) located, for example, on the bottom(underside) and/or side of the housing assembly 110. The intakeapertures 113 are generally configured and dimensioned to correspondwith openings, e.g., intake channels 153, in the filter assembly 150, asdescribed in more detail herein. The intake apertures 113 and intakechannels 153 can be large enough to allow for the passage of debris suchas leaves, twigs, etc. However, since the suction power of thefiltration assembly 150 may depend in part on surface area of the intakeapertures 113 and/or intake channels 153, it may be advantageous, insome embodiments, to minimize the size of the intake apertures 113and/or intake channels 153, e.g., to increase the efficiency of thecleaner 100. The intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153 may belocated such that the cleaner 100 cleans the widest area duringoperation. For example, the front intake apertures 113 for the cleaner100 can be positioned towards the middle of the housing assembly 110,while the rear intake apertures 113 can be positioned towards the sidesof the housing assembly 110. In exemplary embodiments, intake apertures113 may be included proximal the roller assemblies 140 to facilitate thecollection of debris and particles from the roller assemblies 140 (see,in particular, FIG. 5). The intake apertures 113 can advantageouslyserve as drains for when the cleaner 100 is removed from the water.

The cleaner 100 is typically supported/propelled about a pool by thewheel assemblies 130 located relative to the bottom of the cleaner 100.The wheel assemblies 130 are usually powered by the motor drive assembly160 (FIG. 6) in conjunction with the drive transfer system, as discussedherein. In exemplary embodiments, the cleaner 100 includes a front pairof wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a front axis A_(f) and a rear pairof wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a rear axis A_(r). Each wheelassembly 130 may include a bushing assembly (not shown) aligned alongthe proper corresponding axis A_(f) or A_(r), and axially connected to acorresponding wheel, e.g., by means of and in secured relationship withan axle.

The cleaner 100 can include roller assemblies 140 to scrub the walls ofthe pool during operation. In this regard, the roller assemblies 140 mayinclude front and rear roller assemblies 140 operatively associated withsaid front and rear sets of wheel assemblies, respectively (e.g.,wherein the front roller assembly 140 and front set of wheel assemblies130 rotate in cooperation around axis A_(f) and/or share a common axle).

While the four-wheel, two-roller configuration discussed hereinadvantageously promotes device stability/drive efficiency, the currentdisclosure is not limited to such configuration. Indeed, three-wheelconfigurations (such as for a tricycle), two-tread configurations (suchas for a tank), tri-axial configurations, etc., may be appropriate, e.g.to achieve a better turn radius, or increase traction. Similarly, inexemplary embodiments, the roller assemblies 140 may be independent fromthe wheel assemblies 130, e.g., with an autonomous axis of rotationand/or independent drive. Thus, the brush speed and/or brush directionmay advantageously be adjusted, e.g., to optimize scrubbing.

In exemplary embodiments, the housing assembly 110 may include a cleanerhandle 114, e.g., for facilitating extraction of the cleaner 100 from apool.

In exemplary embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6 the base111 and side panels 112 can form a relief 117 on an underside of thecleaner 100. The relief 117 can be formed on an underside of the cleaner100 between front and rear axes A_(f) and A_(r) of the wheel assemblies130. In some embodiments, the relief 117 can have a generally concavearched or curved configuration having an apex 119 that can be generallydisposed, for example, at a midpoint between the front and rear axesA_(f) and A_(r) of the wheel assemblies 130. When the cleaner 100 isviewed from either side, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, for example, the sidepanels 112 are shown as having a generally curved bottom portion 127.For example, the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 can include afirst curved portion 129 to accommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130disposed about the front axis A_(f), a second curved portion 131corresponding to the relief 117, and a third curved portion 133 toaccommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed about the rear axisA_(r).

Beginning at a front end 137 of the side panels 112, with reference toFIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect tothe front axis A_(f) by approximately ninety degrees from the front end137 to a first transition region 139 to form the first curved portion129. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100can generally curve from the front end 137 downwardly towards a plane141 such that a distance D between the bottom portion 127 and the plane141, measured perpendicularly to the plane 141, generally decreasesalong the first curved portion 129 from front end 137 to the firsttransition region 139. The plane 141 can correspond to a planar surfaceupon which each of the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 can rest(e.g., a plane extending generally tangentially with respect to aportion of the wheels in contact with the planar surface).

Continuing towards a rear end 145 of the cleaner 100 in FIGS. 2-3, thebottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 curve away from the plane 141towards the apex 119 and then curves towards the plane 141 from the apex119 to a second transition region 147 to form the second curved portion131 of the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 such that thedistance D generally increases from the first transition region 139 tothe apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transitionregion 147. To form the third curved portion 133, the bottom portion 127can extend radially with respect to the rear axis A_(r) by approximatelyninety degrees from the second transition region 147 to the rear end 145of the cleaner 100. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 of thecleaner 100 can generally curves upwardly in the third curved portion133 from the second transition region 147 away from the plane 141 suchthat the distance D generally increases from the second transitionregion 147 to the rear end 145.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the contour of the relief 117 formed inthe base 111 can correspond to the second curved portion 131 of the sidepanels 112. For example, the base 111 can include a curved surfaceportion 149 that extends between the first and second transition regions139 and 147. Beginning at the first transition region 139, the curvedsurface portion 149 of the base 111 can generally curve away from theplane 141 to the apex 119 and then can curve towards the plane 141 fromthe apex 119 to the second transition region 147 such that the distanceD generally increases from the first transition region 139 to the apex119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transition region147.

In some embodiments, the relief 117 formed by the curved surface portion149 of the base 111 and second curved portion 131 of the side panels 112can provide an increased clearance (e.g., the distance D) between the anunderside of the cleaner 100 and the plane 141 compared to the portionsof the underside of the cleaner 100 between the front end 137 and thefirst transition region 139 and between the second transition region 147and the rear end 145 of the cleaner 100. While an exemplary embodimentof the relief 117 has been illustrated as a generally smooth concavedcurve, those skilled in the art will recognize that exemplaryembodiments of the relief can have different configuration and/orshapes.

As one example, with reference to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, a relief117′ can have a wedge-shaped or triangular profile when viewed from aside of a cleaner 100′. For embodiments having the wedge-shaped ortriangular profile, the relief 117′ can include a linear segment 131Abetween the first transition region 139 and the apex 119′, for which thedistance D increases linearly from the first transition region 139 tothe apex 119′ and a linear segment 131B between the apex 119 and thesecond transition region 147, for which the distance D decreaseslinearly from the apex 119′ to the second transition region 147.

As another example, with reference to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, arelief 117″ can have a trapezoidal profile when viewed from a side of acleaner 100″. For embodiments having the trapezoidal profile, the relief117″ can include a linear segment 131C extending upwardly from the firsttransition region 139 and a trapezoidal base portion that forms an apex119″, for which the distance D remains constant, a linear segment 131Dextending generally parallel to the plane 141 along the trapezoidal baseportion, and can include a linear segment 131E extending downwardly fromthe trapezoidal base portion to the second transition region 147, forwhich the distance D decreases linearly from the trapezoidal baseportion to the second transition region 147.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the filter assembly 150 is depicted incross-section and the motor drive assembly 160 is depicted generally.The filter assembly 150 includes one or more filter elements (e.g., sidefilter panels 154 and top filter panels 155), a body 151 (e.g., walls,floor, etc.), and a frame 156 configured and dimensioned for supportingthe one or more filter elements relative thereto. The body 151 and theframe 156 and/or filter elements generally cooperate to define aplurality of flow regions including at least one intake flow region 157and at least one vent flow region 158. More particularly, each intakeflow region 157 shares at least one common defining side with at leastone vent flow region 158, wherein the common defining side is at leastpartially defined by the frame 156 and/or filter element(s) supportedthereby. The filter elements, when positioned relative to the frame 156,form a semi-permeable barrier between each intake flow region 157 and atleast one vent flow region 158.

In exemplary embodiments, the body 151 defines at least one intakechannel 153 in communication with each intake flow region 157, and theframe 156 defines at least one vent channel 152 in communication witheach vent flow region 158. Each intake flow region 157 defined by thebody 151 can be bucket-shaped to facilitate trapping debris therein. Forexample, the body 151 and frame 156 may cooperate to define a pluralityof surrounding walls and a floor for each intake flow region 157.

The body 151 of the filter assembly 150 is depicted with the frame 156shown integrally formed therewith. The body 151 has a saddle-shapedelevation and is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to be receivedfor seating in the base 111 and the frame 156 is configured, sized,and/or dimensioned to fit over the motor drive assembly 160. When thefilter assembly 150 is positioned within the housing assembly 110, themotor drive assembly 160 in effect divides the original vent flow region158 into a plurality of vent flow regions 158, with each of the ventflow regions 158 in fluid communication with the intake openings definedby the apertured support 162A of the impeller 162C (see FIG. 6).

The motor drive assembly 160 generally includes a motor box 161 and animpeller unit 162. The impeller unit 162 is typically secured relativeto the top of the motor box 161, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc. Inexemplary embodiments, the motor box 161 houses electrical andmechanical components which control the operation of the cleaner 100,e.g., drive the wheel assemblies 130, the roller assemblies 140, and theimpeller unit 162.

In exemplary embodiments, the impeller unit 162 includes an impeller162C, an apertured support 162A (which defines intake openings below theimpeller 162C), and a duct 162B (which houses the impeller 162C andforms a lower portion of the filtration vent shaft). The duct 162B isgenerally configured and dimensioned to correspond with a lower portionof the vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150. The duct 162B, ventchannel 152, and vent aperture 122 may cooperate to define thefiltration vent shaft which, in some embodiments, extends up along theventilation axis A_(v) and out through the lid 121. The impeller unit162 acts as a pump for the cleaner 100, drawing water through the filterassembly 150 and pushing filtered water out through the filtration ventshaft. An exemplary filtration flow path for the cleaner 100 isdesignated by directional arrows depicted in FIG. 6.

The motor drive assembly 160 is typically secured, e.g., by screws,bolts, etc., relative to the inner bottom surface of the housingassembly 110. The motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensionedso as to not obstruct the filtration intake apertures 113 of the housingassembly 110. Furthermore, the motor drive assembly 160 is configuredand dimensioned such that cavity space remains in the housing assembly110 for the filter assembly 150.

The motor drive assembly 160 can include a tilt switch for automaticallynavigating the cleaner 100 around a pool, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,632,the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety byreference, discloses tilt features that can be advantageouslyincorporated as well as features for turning the cleaner.

The primary function of the pump motor is to power the impeller 162C anddraw water through the filter assembly 150 for filtration. Moreparticularly, unfiltered water and debris are drawn via the intakeapertures 113 of the housing assembly 100 through the intake channels153 of the filter assembly 150 and into the one or more bucket-shapedintake flow regions 157, wherein the debris and other particles aretrapped. The water then filters into the one or more vent flow regions158. With reference to FIG. 6, the flow path between the intake flowregions 157 and the vent flow regions 158 can be through the side filterpanels 154 and/or through the top filter panels 155. The filtered waterfrom the vent flow regions 158 is drawn through the intake openingsdefined by the apertured support 162A of the impeller 162C anddischarged via the filtration vent shaft.

As shown in FIG. 5, which depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner 100,in some embodiments, the intake apertures 113 can be disposed proximateto the first and second transition regions 139 and 147. For example, inthe present embodiment, the intake apertures 113 can be disposed betweenthe first transition region 139 and the front end and between the secondtransition region 147 and the rear end such that the intake apertures113 are separated by the relief 117. In some embodiments, the intakeapertures 113 can be disposed between the front axis A_(f) and the firsttransition region 139 and between the second transition region 147 andthe rear axis A_(r) such that the intake apertures a disposed inwardfrom the wheel assemblies 130 and roller/scrubbers 140, but outward fromthe relief 117. While intake apertures 113 have been illustrated asbeing disposed outwardly from the relief 117, those skilled in the artwill recognize that one or more of the intake apertures 113 can bedisposed between the first and second transition regions 139 and 147such that one or more of the intake apertures 113 are formed on therelief 117.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, to facilitate easy access to the internalcomponents of the cleaner 100, the lid assembly 120 includes a lid 121which is pivotally associated with the housing assembly 110. Forexample, the housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 may include hingecomponents 115, 125, respectively, for hingedly connecting the lid 121relative to the housing assembly 110. Note, however, that other joiningmechanisms, e.g., pivot mechanism, a sliding mechanism, etc., may beused, provided that the joining mechanism effect a removablerelationship between the lid 121 and housing assembly 110. In thisregard, a user may advantageously change the lid assembly 120 back andforth between an open position and a closed position, and it iscontemplated that the lid assembly 120 can be provided so as to beremovably securable to the housing assembly 110.

The lid assembly 120 may advantageously cooperate with the housingassembly 110 to provide for top access to the internal components of thecleaner 100. The filter assembly 150 may be removed quickly and easilyfor cleaning and maintenance without having to “flip” the cleaner 100over. In some embodiments, the housing assembly 110 has a first side insecured relationship with the wheel assemblies 130 and a second sideopposite such first side and in secured relationship with the lidassembly 120. The lid assembly 120 and the housing assembly 110 mayinclude a latch mechanism, e.g., a locking mechanism 126, to secure thelid 121 in place relative to the housing assembly 110.

The lid 121 is typically configured and dimensioned to cover an opentop-face of the housing assembly 110. The lid 121 defines a ventaperture 122 that cooperates with other openings (discussed below) toform a filtration vent shaft. For example, the vent aperture 122 isgenerally configured and dimensioned to correspond with an upper portionof a vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150. The structure andoperation of the filtration vent shaft and the vent channel 152 of thefilter assembly are discussed in greater detail herein. Note that thevent aperture 122 generally includes guard elements 123 to prevent theintroduction of objects, e.g., a user's hands, into the vent shaft. Thelid assembly 120 can advantageously include one or more transparentelements, e.g., windows 124 associated with the lid 121, which allow auser to see the state of the filter assembly 150 while the lid assembly120 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, it is contemplatedthat the entire lid 121 may be constructed from a transparent material.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-C, embodiments of the cleaner 100 can beconfigured to clean an immersed surface 200 of a pool including thebottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, orother surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 100 canclean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., byclimbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments,the relief 117 of the cleaner 100 can be configured to improve suctionand/or traction of the cleaner 100 with respect to transitions betweengenerally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the poolcompared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planarbase portion, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upontransitioning from vertical and horizontal surfaces of a pool.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the cleaner 100 can traverse the immersed surface200 of a pool to be cleaned, which includes transitions from asubstantially horizontal portion 202 to a substantially vertical portion204. As the cleaner 100 can descends from the horizontal portion 202,the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed proximate to the frontend 137 of the cleaner 100 can begins to roll or slide down the verticalportion 204 and a positive corner 208 formed at a transition between thehorizontal portion 202 and the vertical portion 204 can be received bythe relief 117. During this transition from the horizontal portion 202to the vertical portion 204, the relief 117 can slide over the positivecorner 208 of the surface 200 to advantageously allow the intakeapertures 113 of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity to theimmersed surface 200 to maintain a sufficient suction force of thecleaner 100 to the surface 200 to clean the surface 200 and/or to enablethe wheels of the cleaner 100 to have traction against the surface 200.

As shown in FIG. 7B, after the transition from the horizontal portion202 to the vertical portion 204, the cleaner 100 can clean the verticalportion 204. For example, when the length of the vertical portion 204exceeds the length of the cleaner 100, the cleaner 100 can descend thevertical portion 204 such that the wheels at the front and rear of thecleaner 100 can be in contact with the vertical portion 204 so that theintake apertures are in proximity to the vertical portion 204 of thesurface 200 to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows thecleaner 100 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 204 to cleanthe vertical portion 204 of the surface. By utilizing the relief 117 toallow the intake apertures 113 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 100 toremain in close proximity as the cleaner 100 traverses the positivecorner 208 of the surface 200, exemplary embodiments provide improvedcleaning of the vertical portion 204 upon descending from the positivecorner 208 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar baseportions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upontraversing a positive corner 208. The cleaner 100 can continue totraverse the surface 200 to transition from the vertical portion 204 toa horizontal portion 210 via a negative corner 212 as shown in FIG. 7C.

While FIGS. 7A-C generally illustrate the cleaner 100 descending fromhorizontal portion 202 to horizontal portion 210 of the surface 200,those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 200 can ascendor climb from horizontal portion 210 to horizontal portion 202 in asimilar manner such that the relief 117 advantageously allows the intakeapertures 113 to be in sufficient proximity to the surface 200 as thecleaner 100 transition from the vertical portion 204 to the horizontalportion 202 via the positive corner 208.

Exemplary embodiments of the pool cleaner 100 may be provide a windowedtop-access lid assembly for a pool cleaner, a bucket-type filterassembly for a pool cleaner, and quick-release roller assembly for apool cleaner, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/211,720, entitled, Apparatus for Facilitating Maintenance of a PoolCleaning Device, published Mar. 18, 2010 as U.S. Patent Publication No.2010/0065482, which application is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. In addition, exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 100 maybe provided with an adjustable buoyancy/weighting distribution which canbe used to alter the dynamics (motion path) of the cleaner when used ina swimming pool, spa or other reservoir, as disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/938,041, entitled Pool Cleaning Device withAdjustable Buoyant Element, published May 3, 2012 as U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0103365, which application is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 300 in accordancewith the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 300 can includerotatable or pivotal intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353. Inexemplary embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels353 can rotate or pivot to align with an immersed pool surface to becleaned. In some embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and/or intakechannels 353 can be weighted and/or biased such that the orientation ofthe cleaner 300 determine a direction in which each of the intakeapertures 313 and the intake channels 353 rotate. In some embodiments,the cleaner 300 can be programmed to rotate or pivot the intakeapertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 based on, for example, one ormore electrical signals from one or more sensors 395, such asaccelerometers and/or gyroscopes, that can be processed by the cleaner300 to determine and control an orientation of the intake apertures 313and/or intake channels 353. In some embodiments, the intake apertures313 and/or intake channels 353 can rotate or pivot in response to thesuction force itself, which may force the intake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 to align with the surface to maintain suction to thesurface.

The intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 can be rotatable by,for example, approximately forty-five (45) degrees to approximately onehundred eighty (180) degrees and can be configured to maintain agenerally parallel relationship to an immersed surface. In exemplaryembodiments, the intake apertures 313 and intake channels can bedisposed proximate the front and rear axes A_(f) and A_(r) to improvesuction and traction of the cleaner 300 during elevational transitionsof the pool surfaces to be cleaned as described in more detail herein.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 8, the cleaner 300 has many componentsin common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example, the relief317 formed by the base 311 and side panels (312 in FIGS. 9A-9D), themotive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies, drive belts androller/scrubber 340, the cleaning/filtering apparatus and functionincluding the impeller motor 360, filter assembly 350 impeller assembly362, vent channel 352 are all substantially the same and operate the inthe same manner as in cleaner 100. As in cleaner 100, the cover 320 ishinged at hinge 315 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner300.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-D, embodiments of the cleaner 300 can beconfigured to clean an immersed surface 400 of a pool including thebottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, orother surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 300 canclean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., byclimbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments,the relief 317, rotatable intake apertures 313, and/or rotatable intakechannels of the cleaner 300 can be configured to improve suction andtraction of the cleaner with respect to transitions between generallyvertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared toconventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the cleaner 300 can traverse the immersed surface400 of a pool to be cleaned, which transitions from a substantiallyhorizontal portion 402 to a substantially vertical portion 404. As thecleaner 300 descends from the horizontal portion 402, the wheels of thewheel assemblies 330 disposed proximate to the front end 337 of thecleaner 300 can begin to roll or slide down the vertical portion 404 anda positive corner 408 formed at a transition between the horizontalportion 402 and the vertical portion 404 can be received by the relief317. During this transition from the horizontal portion 402 to thevertical portion 404, the relief 317 can slide over the positive cornerof the surface, and the intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 ofthe cleaner 300 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain asufficient suction to the surface 400 to clean the surface 400 and/or toenable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against thesurface 400. For example, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353disposed proximate to the front axis A_(f) can rotate clockwise by atotal of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traversesthe positive corner 408 such that the intake aperture 313 and intakechannel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A_(f) are approximatelyperpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposedproximate to the rear axis A_(r).

As the rear end of the cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408,the intake aperture 313 and/or the intake channel 353 disposed proximateto the rear axis A_(r) can rotate clockwise by a total of approximatelyninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear endare in contact with the vertical portion 404, the intake aperture 313and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A_(f) areapproximately parallel to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353disposed proximate to the rear axis A_(r), as shown in FIG. 9B.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, after the transition from the horizontalportion 402 to the vertical portion 404, the cleaner 300 can clean thevertical portion 404. For example, when the length of the verticalportion 404 exceeds the length of the cleaner 300, the cleaner 300 candescend the vertical portion 404 such that the wheels at the front andrear of the cleaner 300 can be in contact with the vertical portion 404so that the intake apertures 313 are in proximity to the verticalportion 404 of the surface to maintain a suction force thatadvantageously allows the cleaner 300 to roll and/or slide down thevertical portion 404 to clean the vertical portion 404 of the surface400. By utilizing the relief 317 to allow the intake apertures 313and/or front wheels of the cleaner 300 to remain in close proximity asthe cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408 of the surface 400,exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion404 upon descending from the positive corner 408 compared toconventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which oftencannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positivecorner 408.

The cleaner 300 can continue to traverse the surface to transition fromthe vertical portion 404 to a horizontal portion 410 via a negativecorner 412 as shown in FIG. 9C. As the cleaner 300 traverses thenegative corner 412, the intake apertures 313 and/or the intake channels353 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suctionto the surface 400 to clean the surface and/or to enable the wheels ofthe cleaner 300 to have traction against the surface 400. For example,the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to thefront axis A_(f) can rotate counter clockwise by a total ofapproximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverse thenegative corner 412 such that the intake aperture 313 and intake channel353 disposed proximate to the front axis A_(f) are approximatelyperpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposedproximate to the rear axis A_(r). As the rear end of the cleanertraverses the negative corner 412, the intake aperture 313 and/or theintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A_(r) can rotatecounter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees suchthat when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with thehorizontal portion 410, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353disposed proximate to the front axis A_(f) are approximately parallel tothe intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to therear axis A_(r), as shown in FIG. 9D.

While FIGS. 9A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 300 descending fromhorizontal portion 402 to horizontal portion 410 of the surface 400,those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 300 can ascendfrom horizontal portion 410 to horizontal portion 402 in a similarmanner such that the relief 317 advantageously allows the cleaner 300 tomaintain suction and/or traction with the surface 400 as the cleaner 300traverse negative and positive corners 412 and 408, respectively.

FIGS. 10-11 show an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 500 inaccordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to thecleaner 100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 500 caninclude at least one intake channel 553A that can extend through anintake aperture 513. In exemplary embodiments, a length L of the intakechannel 553A can be compressed to a retracted position (FIG. 10) andexpanded to a protracted position (FIG. 11). When the intake channel553A is in the retracted position (FIG. 10), the intake channel 553A canbe generally flush with or slightly protruding from the intake aperture513. In the present embodiment, the intake channel 553A can be disposedat a midpoint of the cleaner 500 between the front and rear axes A_(f)and A_(r).

In exemplary embodiments, the intake channel 553A can be formed from aflexible membrane 592 and a resilient member 594, which is a biasingmeans, such as a coil spring, each of extending between a guide member590 and an intake support structure 595. The resilient member 594 can bedisposed in the membrane 592, such that the resilient member 594 isencased with the membrane 592, and is an example of biasing means forurging or dynamically biasing the intake channel 553A towards theprotracted position. In exemplary embodiments, the force applied by theresilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553A to the protractedposition is generally slightly less than the suction force generated bythe cleaner during cleaning operation so that the resilient member 594does not push the cleaner 500 away from the surface of the pool duringthe cleaning operation, but still remains at and/or proximate to thesurface. While exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 500 have been shownas including a resilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553Abetween a retracted position and a protracted position, those skilled inthe art will recognize that other embodiments may include alternativeconfigurations and/or structures to move the intake channel 553A betweena retracted and protracted positions. For example, in some embodiments,the intake channels 553B may be rotatably or pivotally mounted in thecleaner 500 to move the intake channel 553B between the retracted andprotracted positions.

The guide member 590 is configured at an inlet of the of the intakechannel 553A and forms a free end of the intake channel 553A, which isconfigured to engage a surface of the pool during a cleaning operationof the surface. The intake support structure 595 can be disposed at anend of the intake channel 553A opposite the guide member 590 and canform one or more outlets of the intake channel 553A. For example, in thepresent embodiment intake support structure 595 can operatively couplethe intake channel 553A to intake channels 553B, which can be in fluidcommunication with the intake flow region 557 so that fluid (and debris)flowing through the intake channel 553A can ultimate enter the intakeflow region 557.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 10-11, the cleaner 500 has manycomponents in common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example,the relief 517 formed by the base and side panels, the motive/driveelements, such as wheel assemblies 530, drive belts (not shown) andfront and rear roller/scrubber 540, the cleaning/filtering apparatus andfunction including the impeller motor 560, filter assembly 550, impellerassembly 562, vent channel 552 are all substantially the same andoperate the in the same manner as in embodiments of the cleaners 100 and300. As in cleaners 100 and 300, the cover 520 is hinged at hinge 515 toprovide access to the interior of the cleaner 500.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A-D, embodiments of the cleaner 500 can beconfigured to clean an immersed surface 600 of a pool including thebottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, orother surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 500 canclean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., byclimbing and/or descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplaryembodiments, the relief 517 and/or intake channel 553A can be configuredto improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 500 with respect totransitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfacesof the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat orsubstantial planar base portion.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the cleaner 500 can traverse the immersed surface600 of a pool to be cleaned that transitions from a substantiallyhorizontal portion 602 to a substantially vertical portion 604. As thecleaner 500 can descends from the horizontal portion 602, the wheelsdisposed proximate to the front end 537 of the cleaner 500 can begin toroll or slide down the vertical portion 604 and a positive corner 608formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 602 and thevertical portion 604 can be received by the relief 517. During thistransition from the horizontal portion 602 to the vertical portion 604,the relief 517 can slide over the positive corner 608 of the surface600, and the intake aperture 553A of the cleaner 500 can be compressedinto the body of the cleaner such that the intake channel 553A is in theretracted position and is generally flush with the relief 517 tomaintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner to have traction againstthe surface 600.

Referring now to FIG. 12B, after the transition from the horizontalportion 602 to the vertical portion 604, the cleaner 500 can clean thevertical portion 604. For example, when the length of the verticalportion 604 exceeds the length of the cleaner 500, the cleaner 500 candescend the vertical portion 604 such that the wheels at the front andrear of the cleaner can be in contact with the vertical portion 604 sothat the intake aperture 553A extends from the body such that the intakechannel 553A protrudes from the relief 517 (e.g., a protracted position)and the guide member 590 of the intake channel 553A is positionedproximate to the surface 600 being cleaned (e.g., in contact with thesurface) to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows thecleaner 500 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 604 to cleanthe vertical portion 604 of the surface 600. By utilizing the relief 517to allow the intake apertures 513 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 500to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 500 traverses the positivecorner 608 of the surface 600, exemplary embodiments provide improvedcleaning of the vertical portion 604 upon descending from the positivecorner 608 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar baseportions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upontraversing a positive corner.

The cleaner 500 can continue to traverse the surface 600 to transitionfrom the vertical portion 604 to a horizontal portion 610 via a negativecorner 612 as shown in FIG. 12C. As the cleaner 500 traverses thenegative corner 612, the intake channel 553A can further extend from thebody of the cleaner 500 (e.g., a further protracted position) tomaintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 500 to have tractionagainst the surface. As the rear end 545 of the cleaner traverses thenegative corner 612 and the wheels of the cleaner rest upon thehorizontal portion 610, the intake channel 553A compresses towards thebody of the cleaner 500, as shown in FIG. 12D, but can still protrudefrom the body of the cleaner 500.

While FIGS. 12A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 500 descending fromhorizontal portion to horizontal portion of the surface, those skilledin the art will recognize that the cleaner can ascend from horizontalportion to horizontal portion in a similar manner such that the relief517 advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to maintain suction and/ortraction with the surface as the cleaner 500 traverse negative andpositive corners.

Although the teachings herein have been described with reference toexemplary embodiments and implementations thereof, the disclosed systemsand methods are not limited to such exemplaryembodiments/implementations. Rather, as will be readily apparent topersons skilled in the art from the description taught herein, thedisclosed systems and methods are susceptible to modifications,alterations and enhancements without departing from the spirit or scopehereof. Accordingly, all such modifications, alterations andenhancements within the scope hereof are encompassed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated pool cleaning apparatus comprising:a housing having a base portion; a first wheel assembly disposedproximate to a front end of the housing; a second wheel assemblydisposed proximate to a rear end of the housing; a relief having aconcave arched configuration, the relief formed in the base portionbetween the first and second wheel assemblies; and an adjustable intakeport positioned in the relief, the adjustable intake port beingdynamically biased towards an immersed surface during a cleaningoperation in a pool; wherein the adjustable intake port has a retractedposition in which the adjustable intake port is housed substantiallywithin the housing and a protracted position in which the adjustableintake port protrudes from the base portion away from the housing.